Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a permanent lung condition caused, most often, by cigarette smoking. It starts with a wheezing cough and gradually progresses to a shortness of breath that accompanies even the slightest exertion, such as dressing or eating. COPD encompasses both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema consists of the destruction of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs and the weakening of the support structure around them. This leads to a collapse of the small airways in the lungs, especially on inhalation, and reduces the body's ability to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.

Chronic bronchitis consists of chronic inflammation of the airways, causing a persistent productive cough. This inflammation also impairs the body's ability to exchange new air for old. COPD also involves spasm of the airways similar to what occurs in asthma. Finally, occasional flare-ups occur when bacteria grow in the lungs, leading to acute exacerbation of symptoms.

Because cigarette smoking contributes to both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, anyone who has COPD should stop smoking. Quitting smoking won't reverse the condition, but it might stop COPD from getting worse. Airborne irritants such as chemical fumes exacerbate symptoms and should also be avoided. Standard treatment for COPD includes using bronchodilators, such as ipratropium and albuterol, to reduce muscle spasms, and corticosteroids to control inflammation in the airways. Acute flare-ups are treated with antibiotics. Severe COPD may require continuous oxygen therapy.

Malnutrition is common among people with COPD and seems to correspond to the severity of the condition.
1,2
It's been suggested that the caloric needs of people with COPD increase as the disease progresses.
3
Because malnutrition in turn can worsen lung function and make people more prone to infection, many researchers now recommend that individuals with COPD receive supplemental nutrition as part of their treatment.
4,5

Principal Proposed Natural Treatments

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may improve breathing in people with COPD.

NAC is a specially modified form of the dietary amino acid cysteine. Regular use of NAC may diminish the number of severe bronchitis attacks. A review and meta-analysis of available research focused on 8 reasonably well-designed
double-blind, placebo-controlled trials
of NAC in COPD.
7-15
The results of these studies, involving a total of about 1,400 individuals, suggest that NAC taken daily at a dose of 400 to 1,200 mg can reduce the number of acute attacks of severe bronchitis. However, a subsequent 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 523 people with COPD failed to find benefit with 600 mg of NAC daily.
35

NAC was once thought to aid lung conditions by helping to break up mucus. However, continuing research has tended to cast doubt on this explanation of its action.

For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full
NAC
article.

Other Proposed Natural Treatments

Evidence from three double-blind placebo-controlled studies enrolling a total of 49 individuals suggests that the supplement
L-carnitine
can improve exercise tolerance in COPD, presumably by improving muscular efficiency in the lungs and other muscles.
19-21

Eucalyptus is a standard ingredient in cough drops and in oils sometimes added to humidifiers. A combination
essential oil
therapy containing cineole from eucalyptus, d-limonene from citrus fruit, and alpha-pinene from pine has been studied for a variety of respiratory conditions. Because these oils are all in a chemical family called monoterpenes, the treatment is called
essential oil monoterpenes
. A 3-month, double-blind trial of 246 individuals with chronic bronchitis found that oral treatment with essential oil monoterpenes helped prevent acute flare-ups of chronic bronchitis.
27
A previous double-blind study, too small to provide reliable results, hints that oral use of essential oil monoterpenes can enhance the effects of antibiotics for acute flare-ups once they do occur.
26
It is thought that essential oil monoterpenes work by improving the lungs’ ability to clear secretions.
28

A mixture of extracts from
echinacea
,
wild indigo
, and white cedar has shown promise for treating a variety of respiratory infections. A well-designed double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 53 people tested its benefits in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.
6
All participants in this trial received standard antibiotic therapy. The results showed that people receiving the herbal medication experienced more rapid improvements in lung function than those given placebo.

The effects of other antioxidant supplements on COPD haven't yet been studied.

Evidence from several studies suggests that the standard approved diet, low in fat and high in carbohydrates, worsens exercise performance and lung function in people with COPD, whereas a
low-carbohydrate diet
may improve COPD symptoms.
23-25
Carbohydrates cause the body to produce increased amounts of carbon dioxide, and people with COPD have trouble getting rid of carbon dioxide.

Qigong
is an ancient form of Traditional Chinese Medicine consisting of deep breathing accompanied by slow, rhythmic movements. It is intended to promote the healthy flow of "qi" (or vital "energy") within the body. In a randomized trial involving 206 patients with COPD, Qigong appeared to improve respiratory function and activity tolerance.
42
In another trial, 80 people with COPD were randomized to receive Qigong or conventional rehabilitation for 6 months. At the end of the trial, there were no significant differences between the two groups.
43
In a review of 5 randomized trials with 349 patients with COPD, qigong was associated with improved 6-minute walking distance when compared to no exercise. However, when compared to regular walking exercise, qigong was no more effective for physical performance, lung function, shortness of breath, or quality of life.
46

Researchers have also studied the potential benefits of acupuncture in people with COPD. Sixty-eight adults were randomized to receive acupuncture or sham (fake) acupuncture once a week for 12 weeks.
44
Those who received the real treatment experienced less shortness of breath after an exercise test compared to the control group.

Osteopathic physicians study and practice the same types of medical and surgical techniques as their conventional MD colleagues with the addition of
osteopathic manipulative treatment
(OMT) as an adjunct procedure.
Osteopathic practitioners generally devote their efforts throughout the musculoskeletal system, including soft tissues and joints outside the spine. In one small randomized trial involving 20 patients with stable COPD, OMT showed improvement in 6-minute walk test distance. Distance in patients in the OMT group improved on average by 72.5 meters compared to 23.7 meters for patients in the sham OMT group.
45

Herbs and Supplements to Use Only With Caution

Various herbs and supplements may interact adversely with drugs used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For more information on these potential risks, see the individual drug article in the
Drug Interactions
section of this database.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.